Page 78 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

Caleb follows me from the room, his arms encircling me from behind as he continues to walk in step with me. He attempts to nuzzle his face into the left side of my neck, and I instinctively readjust, baring the right side for him instead. He doesn’t seem to notice, continuing to playfully engage me.

“What did you have in mind?” Caleb scoops me up, carrying me toward the couch.

His sudden spontaneity catches me off guard, seemingly out of character for his typical reserved regimented behavior. However, I welcome it. Caleb and I haven’t fucked since we got here. Between staying at separate houses, prepping to start my new job at the clinic, and fulfilling my Maid of Honor duties, it hasn’t left a whole lot of time for just us. Maybe having a space that’s ours will finally open him up, allowing him to explore options outside the confines of missionary bedroom sex. Placing me down, he positions himself over top of me, his lips pressing into mine.

“Seems you already have something in mind.” I snicker as he peppers kisses along my jaw.

Wrapping my legs around him, I pull him further into me. My body starts to grind against his, the movement eliciting a low moan from his throat.

“We could christen the apartment,” he whispers against my mouth.

I offer a coy smile in response, reaching down to palm his erection between us. “Yeah? You want me right now?”

“I always want you, Joanna.” His voice comes out husky, his breath hitching as I gently squeeze his cock through his pants.

“What are you gonna do about it?” My top teeth sink into the cushion of my lower lip as I stare up at him seductively through my lashes. Jesus, I need this, and I will play this temptress shit to the max if it means he’s going to finally fuck me like something other than a 1950's suburban housewife.

His hand runs up the side of me, his eyes darkening with desire. “Come here,” he whispers before hopping up.

What the fuck?

Taking my hand, he starts to lead me back toward the bedroom. Disappointment overtakes me as I realize it’s about to be business as usual, and I’m sorry if this makes me terrible, but I just cannot bring myself to suffer through that right now. My feet root themselves to the floor, halting his movements.

Caleb spins to face me, still sporting a goofy ass smile. “What’s up, babe?”

“Nothing,” I lie. “I just didn’t realize how hungry I am until right now.”

“Oh,” his face falls slightly before recovering. “Yeah, of course, honey. Let’s get you fed.”

He changes course, throwing his arm around my neck while pulling my forehead in for a kiss. I feel bad, knowing we will eventually have to talk about this if we’re going to be together long-term, but Caleb maintains his typical cheery demeanor for the moment.

Releasing me to snatch his wallet from the coffee table, he jogs back over to the door, pulling it open before I can reach for it. He extends his hand, gesturing for me to walk through. “Okay, babe. This is your city. Where should we go?”

***

Caleb and I walk down the sidewalk hand in hand, the blistering summer heat radiating upon us. Thank God the apartment has central air, because it has to be over ninety degrees today.

“So, where are we going?” he asks, raising the back of my hand to his lips where he plants a kiss.

“Tacooooos!” I emphasize my response with a shimmy of my shoulders.

Caleb cracks a wide smile. “You seem genuinely excited about this.”

“Dude.” I steady my expression, conveying a look of seriousness. “Tacos. Have you met me?”

He snorts, pulling me into his side where he attempts to hold me against him as we walk. The heat is unbearable though, and I place distance between us in an attempt to maintain some form of an acceptable body temperature. Caleb’s hand finds mine once again, and we continue down the block.

As we round the corner to approach the restaurant Daphne and I have frequented many times over the years, a familiar face comes into view. Approaching, seemingly unaware at first, his eyes eventually find mine and a genuine grin graces his face.

“Finn?!” I call out, my mouth turning up at the corners.

He offers up a wave as he comes to stand before me. “Hey.”

I release Caleb’s hand, allowing Finn to pull me in for a hug. Though we didn’t have many interactions back in the day—I’ve actually only seen him in person once—it was Finn who took it upon himself to get my number and text me when Mav went off the grid after Bentley’s death.

After Mav and I split, Finn checked in a few times to make sure I was okay. Over the years, he’s continued to send the occasional text. Nothing deep. It’s limited to your generic ‘Happy Birthday,’ ‘Merry Christmas’ kind of stuff but still, the gesture’s always been appreciated.

“It’s so good to see you,” he whispers into my ear, his hand rubbing short strokes up and down my back.

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